OHP Bomb Squad deactivates small pipe bomb found in vehicle

After some tense moments at a local convenience store parking lot Sunday evening, Shawnee police, with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Bomb Squad, retrieved and deactivated a small pipe bomb.

Kim Morava

After some tense moments at a local convenience store parking lot Sunday evening, Shawnee police, with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Bomb Squad, retrieved and deactivated a small pipe bomb.

No injuries were reported.

An investigation into this incident is ongoing by Shawnee police.

Officers responded to reports of an explosive device being found in a vehicle at the Kwick Stop, 2700 N. Harrison.

Officer Dennis Rains’ report shows he and many other units and firefighters went to the scene at about 7:21 p.m.

Upon arrival, the officer talked to two people who told them they had given a ride to a man who left a bag in their vehicle.

They drove to the gas station, where they noticed a long tube wrapped in black tape with a green fuse at one end was sticking out of that bag, the report shows, with the officer indicating this was a pipe bomb.

Information shows the device was about six inches long and was wrapped in black tape, with a fuse wire at one end.

When fire crews arrived, they observed a teenager, who was shaking, holding the reported device.

Firefighters took the device from her and carefully placed it on the ground in the middle of the parking lot.

The area was secured as the OHP Bomb Squad was called for assistance. Two troopers from Oklahoma City arrived and took possession of the device. It was transported to the Shawnee Police Department firing range on Kickapoo Street, where it was deactivated, the report shows.

Shawnee Police Chief Russell Frantz said the investigation is ongoing as they follow leads on a suspect.